Prater stars as Detroit complete remarkable Wembley comeback

KICKER Matt Prater proved the star turn by hitting a 48-yard field goal in the dying seconds to complete a remarkable comeback for the Detroit Lions against Atlanta Falcons at Wembley yesterday.

Quarterback Matt Ryan was the orchestrator in chief as Atlanta raced into a 21-0 lead at the break, with Devonta Freeman, Bear Pascoe and Steven Jackson all touching down.

Lions counterpart Matthew Stafford and his wide receivers started to find their range and rhythm early in the second period as Prater successfully kicked a field-goal to ignite his side’s retaliation.

Stafford provided the ammunition for Golden Tate to bag the Lions’ first touchdown to cut the deficit to 21-10 before picking out Theo Riddick to make it 21-19 after Prater struck a further field goal.

Former Denver Broncos star Prater is the third kicker the Lions have deployed this season and, after missing his original attempt that was whistled back, he made no mistake with his second effort with only seconds remaining.

Victory leaves the Lions on 6-2 while the Falcons will need to embark on a considerable winning streak to revive hopes of reaching the post-season.